Jacobs hoping for much better second stint with Great Lakes Loons

Published 6:45 am, Monday, June 28, 2010

Great Lakes Loons' first baseman Chris Jacobs hopes the second time around is better than the first.

"It is great to be back among my teammates and a bunch of my friends," said Jacobs, who rejoined the team on Friday. "I know they already clinched a spot for the playoffs, so we've got to keep the fun up and keep the winning going."

Originally, Jacobs came north with the team out of spring training in April. However, a slump forced the Los Angeles Dodgers to send him back to Camelback Ranch in Phoenix for extended spring training.

After spending the first 17 games with the Loons, the 6-foot, 5-inch, 257-pound Jacobs was sent back to Phoenix on April 27 for extended spring training. At the time, he was batting .170 with one homer, two runs batted and four hits with 14 strikeouts in eight games.

"When I first got here, I was pressing a little too hard and trying to do too much," admitted Jacobs, who was a 17th-round draft choice in the 2007 MLB Draft. "Now, I'm trying to stay within myself and I feel like I'm back on track and can help the team win some games."

Spending all of May and most of June at Camelback Ranch helped Jacobs become more selective with the pitches he faced.

"Sometimes, when (pitchers) stayed away from me and low in the zone, I had trouble hitting them," said Jacobs. "That is why I had to go back down, to find pitches that I can hit. No pitcher is going to give me pitches to hit; I've got to find something to hit. When I do get a pitch, don't miss it, because they don't come that often."

When opposing pitchers found that Jacobs struggled with sliders, he found himself facing a steady diet of them.

"During the beginning of the year, I struggled hitting sliders," he said. "I think I saw 80 percent sliders the first time I was here. The last two games, it's been the same. I have to learn how to lay off those sliders and hit the fastballs and change-ups up in the zone that I can get the bat on."

Jacobs earned the return trip to Midland when Midwest League All-Star first baseman Jerry Sands received a promotion to Double-A Chattanooga. Even though Sands is playing ball in Tennessee, Jacobs still feels his influence in Midland.

"Jerry's my buddy," said Jacobs. "I talk to him and he gives me advice. (He's told me) not to chase the pitchers' pitch, but to get the pitch that you want. Don't try to hit the home run; the home runs will come."

Jacobs realizes that filling Sands' shoes will be a tough task.

"Jerry is doing good things up there," said Jacobs. "I don't want to be a letdown. To fill his shoes is a big step. But, I'm up for the challenge."

In his first game back from Phoenix on Friday, Jacobs blasted a home run, and has gone 1-for-7 in two games.

Cutting down on strikeouts will be a key for Jacobs, who turned down football and basketball scholarship offers from Division I powerhouses North Carolina, Ohio State, Florida and South Carolina.

After striking out 14 times in eight games in his first stint with the Loons in April, Jacobs has only struck out once in two games since returning from Phoenix.

"If I can cut down on strikeouts, I'm sure that I'll do a lot better than the first time I was here," he said.

Not only is Jacobs enjoying his teammates in Midland, but he also enjoys playing under Loons' manager Juan Bustabad.

"He tries to keep us focused, give us good information and encourage us." said Jacobs. "He is just a great guy. I had him my first year, when we won our division in the Gulf Coast League. He just keeps a winning spirit and winning mentality wherever he goes."